“Gay panic” and “transgender panic” defenses have been asserted by defendants in criminal trials throughout the U.S. since the 1960s. In these cases, defendants have argued that their violent behavior was a rational response to discovering that the victim was LGBT. The defenses are rooted in irrational fears based on homophobia and transphobia, and send the message that violence against LGBT people is understandable and acceptable. When successful, these defenses have resulted in murder charges being reduced to manslaughter or another lesser offense.
To date, only one state, California, has banned defendants from asserting gay or transgender panic defense by statute. In this brief, Williams Institute scholars present model language, based on the language adopted in California, that other states may use to eliminate use of the defenses through legislation. The model legislation offers language to prohibit defendants from using gay and trans panic defenses under each of the major defenses theories of provocation, insanity/diminished capacity, and self-defense. In addition, the brief provides an overview of the ways in which the defenses have been asserted in trials throughout the last several decades, and evaluates potential constitutional challenges to state legislation eliminating use of the defenses.

Utilizing data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which includes representative state-level surveys, Williams Institute scholars provide up-to-date estimates of the percentage and number of adults who identify as transgender in the United States. Approximately 0.6% of adults in the United States, or 1.4 million individuals, identify as transgender.
The study also provides the first ever state-level estimates of the number and percentage of adults who identify as transgender for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Differences exist in the percentage of adults who identify as transgender among the states, ranging from 0.3% in North Dakota to 0.8% in Hawaii. Differences by age also exist, with younger adults more likely to identify as transgender than older adults. An estimated 0.7% of adults ages 18 to 24, 0.6% of adults ages 25 to 64, and 0.5% of adults ages 65 and older identify as transgender.

This analysis estimates the impact of extending marriage to same-sex couples on state and local government revenues in New Jersey. Using the best data available, we estimate that allowing same-sex couples to marry will result in approximately $15.1 million in new revenue over the next three years.

This report documents public sector employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in New Jersey. The report is part of a 15 chapter study that documents a widespread and persistent pattern of unconstitutional discrimination by state governments against LGBT people.

This analysis estimates the impact of allowing same-sex couples to marry on New Jersey's state budget. Using the best data available, we estimate that allowing same-sex couples to marry will result in approximately $19 million in State and local government revenues over the next three years.

This report predicts that if same-sex couples were allowed to marry, sales by New Jersey’s wedding and tourism-related businesses would rise by $102.5 million per year. Also, the State’s gross receipt tax revenues would rise by $7.2 million per year.

This article discusses the economic impact of allowing same-sex couples to marry in New Jersey, projecting that giving same-sex couples the right to marry would result in a net gain to the State of $3.9 to $8.1 million. In addition, extending marriage to same-sex couples would create a net financial gain to New Jersey businesses of approximately $90.2 million per year for at least the few first years of marriage equality.

This report estimates the cost to Ocean County of providing pension benefits to county employees’ domestic partners, an option for counties as a result of New Jersey’s domestic partnership law. Based on the current structure of the pension plans and Ocean County employees belong to, and based on data from the state, we estimate that the cost to the county would be less than $70,000 per year.

This study analyzes the impact of domestic partnership in New Jersey on businesses offering health care benefits to employees and their families. We estimate that businesses will see zero to negligible increases in health care costs if they offer benefits to employees' same-sex partners.

This study estimates the impact of domestic partnership in New Jersey. Using data from Census 2000 and from other states with similar policies, as well as data on state revenues and expenditures, we conclude that offering domestic partnerships in New Jersey would have a positive impact on the state budget of over $55 million each year.